OUR PASTURE GRASSES 



then rejected by stock, can be partially kept down by early grazing ; but those 

 that are left standing ripen and shed seeds copiously if not cut with a scythe. 

 At the time of flowering, Sinclair ob- 

 tained 6,125 lbs. of green, or 1,837 lbs. 

 of dried, fodder, with 3,403 lbs. of 

 lattermath per acre from a manured 

 brown loam ; and Vianne secured 

 2,700 lbs. of hay from an acre of 

 fertile soil. Stebler says that the seed- 

 crop should be taken when the seeds 

 can easily be rubbed out, as they germi- 

 nate badly if cut too early ; and when 

 mown too late, much of the produce is 

 lost. Yorkshire fog {ffolcus lanatus) 

 and Capillary sheep's fescue {Festuca 

 ovina capillata) are common impurities. 

 Good commercial samples should have 

 95 per cent, of purity and 75 per cent, 

 of germination, 18 -9 lbs. being required 

 to sow an acre. Crested dogstail may 

 be added to mixtures for upland per- 

 manent pastures and meadows, and 

 also to those intended for leys of 4 or 

 more years' duration. It is an exceed- 

 ingly valuable grass for permanent lawns, to produce which it may be 

 sown pure. Manures of all kinds are beneficial. Deer appear to relish its 

 herbage ; and the ripened culms are sometimes employed in the manufacture 

 of straw bonnets. 



Crested Dogstail-Grass. 

 (jCynosJtr7ts cristatJts.) 



Dactyljs — Cocksfoot-Grass 



Cocksfoot-Grass ; Orchard-Grass {Dactylis glomeratd). — Perennial, 

 forming cushion-like tufts ; flowering from June till August ; and maturing 

 seed from July. Starting into growth tolerably early in spring, yielding 

 moderately the first season, and attaining to its maximum the second or third 

 year, this is one of the hardiest and best of " top-grasses." It gives two 

 cuttings annually ; grows well under trees and in the shade ; succeeds on 

 all soils excepting poor sands and heaths ; luxuriates in moist and deep, 

 good lands which are rich in humus ; is little affected by drought or winter 

 cold ; thrives under irrigation ; and produces excellent green fodder and hay, 

 relished alike by horses, cattle and sheep. After being cut, it rapidly throws 

 up new herbage ; and it is considered to yield the most nutritive aftermath 

 of any grass. The following yields per acre are recorded : — Sinclair, at the 

 time of flowering, 27,905 lbs. green, or 11,859 lbs. dried, produce, with an 

 aftermath of 11,910 lbs., on rich, sandy loam; Pinkert, 3,520 lbs. of hay; 

 and Vianne, 15,570 lbs. from a light, moist and fertile soil. Cocksfoot is 

 generally grown alone, or with clovers only, for seed production. Hard 

 fescue-grass and Meadow fescue-grass are common impurities. Good 

 commercial qualities should have 85 per cent, of germination and 90 per 

 cent, of purity, 24^2 lbs. being required per acre. Owing to its tufted growth, 

 it is not adapted for sowing alone, but up to 15 per cent, may be used in 

 mixtures of seeds for permanent pastures and leysof three or more years duration. 

 Stebler mentions Perennial rye-grass. Meadow foxtail, Timothy and clovers 



